Child bathing activity center

ABSTRACT

A child bathing activity center apparatus includes entertainment features for engaging a child&#39;s attention during a bathing, and safety features for preventing or reducing the risk of harm to such child during the bathing, such as from slipping on the floor thereof. The apparatus may be received within a standard bathtub, and one or more apertures disposed in the walls of the apparatus permit water to freely pass and flow between the apparatus the standard bathtub. In this way, the apparatus does not need to be separately filled with water in order to be used. The apertures obviate the need to refill the apparatus during a bathing by precluding water from being operatively displaced therefrom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 underpending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/810,702, filedon Apr. 10, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a child bathing apparatus, and moreparticularly, to a bathing apparatus for infants, toddlers, and smallchildren having entertainment and safety features for use during abathing.

BACKGROUND

Like everyone else, infants, toddlers, and small children must beregularly bathed as a practice of good hygiene. Generally, infants,toddlers, and small children (hereinafter collectively referred to as“child” or “children”) are too small and cannot provide themselves withthe requisite level of support to use a standard bathtub (i.e. afull-sized bathtub for use by adults) and instead require a specialbathtub that is smaller and shallower. In this way, a person providingthe bathing is better able to manage the bathed child during the washingprocess of a bathing. These special child bathtubs are oftenself-contained in that they may be filled with water separate from astandard bathtub, sink, or other container, notwithstanding the factthat such separation can be highly inconvenient for at least the reasonthat it requires additional filling when water becomes displacedtherefrom

However, the washing process itself is only one important aspect of abathing. That is, for children, a bathing must be fun and engagingenough to distract them from the washing process (and thereby to permitthe bather to act with minimal resistance from the child being bathed),and it must further be safe so as to protect the child being bathed frominjury caused by slipping or contact with hard objects. In other words,a child bathing apparatus that fails to provide entertainment and safetyfeatures makes the bathing process more challenging for the bather andpresents unnecessary risks of harm to the child.

A solution for providing a child bathing apparatus with safety featuresis shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,392 as a tub basket for children. Thedisclosed tub basket includes a removable padding along the top edges ofthe housing structure thereof, which softens those edges and prevents orreduces the risk of harm from a bathed child coming into contacttherewith. Regardless, this disclosure fails to recite any entertainmentfeatures and any safety features beyond the aforesaid padding, andrequires the disclosed tub basket to be filled with water separate fromanother tub (e.g. a standard bathtub).

Similarly, a solution for a child bathing apparatus with entertainmentfeatures is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,029,551 as an infant bath tub withtoys. This infant bath tub teaches a plurality of toys coupled to thetop edges thereof via apertures within the toys and pegs disposed alongsuch top edges. The bathed child my remove the toys therefrom and playwith them during a bathing, after which point they may be replaced.While this disclosure teaches a child bathing apparatus having variousentertainment features, it fails to teach any safety features, and, aswith the above reference, also requires the disclosed tub to be filledwith water separate from another tub.

Thus, while existing solutions show some entertainment or safetyfeatures, various drawbacks, including those mentioned above, remain.

Consequently, there exists a need for a child bathing activity centerapparatus that fits within a standard bathtub and permits free passthrough of water between the apparatus and the standard bathtub, andwhich includes various entertainment and safety features for engaging achild being bathed and preventing or substantially mitigating the riskof harm to the child during a bathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art, a child bathingactivity center apparatus configured to include all the advantages ofthe prior art and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein isprovided. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a childbathing activity center apparatus that comprises various entertainmentand safety features for engaging a child being bathed and preventing orsubstantially mitigating the risk of harm to the child during a bathing.It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide a childbathing activity center apparatus that may be received within a standardbathtub. It is further still an object of the present disclosure toprovide a child bathing activity center apparatus that permits free passthrough of water between the apparatus and the standard bathtub.

In an embodiment, a child bathing activity center apparatus comprises acontainer and at least one activity object. The container is comprisedof at least one wall and a floor, which at least one wall forms anenclosure about the perimeter of the apparatus and which floor includesa slip resistant feature. The at least one activity object is coupled tothe top surface of the at least one wall. The apparatus is capable ofbeing received within a standard bathtub, and the at least one wallfurther comprises at least one aperture such that water may freely passthrough the at least one aperture from the standard bathtub into theapparatus and from the apparatus back into the standard bathtub at antime and without any further action being required.

In a further embodiment, the at least one wall of the container is tallenough to prevent a child being bathed therein from exiting thecontainer without assistance.

In a further embodiment, the at least one activity object comprises atleast one of a squirting toy, a spinning toy, a squeaking toy, aslidable toy, a toy designed to resemble an animal, a spring-loaded toy,a rotating toy, and a compressible toy.

In a further embodiment, the top surface of the at least one wall of thecontainer further comprises a padding.

In a further embodiment, the slip resistant feature of the floor of thecontainer comprises at least one of a textured surface, a surfacecoating, a synthetic mesh mat, and a friction element.

In a further embodiment, the at least one activity object is removablycoupled to time top surface of the at least one wall of the container.

In a further embodiment, the container comprises one of a generallyrectangular cross-section and a generally ovular cross-section.

In a further embodiment, the at least one wall of the containercomprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least oneaperture plug capable of being received within an aperture of the atleast one aperture.

In a father embodiment, the slip resistant feature is resistant towater.

These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along withthe various features of novelty that characterize the presentdisclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexedhereto and form a part of the present disclosure. For a betterunderstanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, andthe specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made tothe accompanying drawings and detailed description in which there areillustrated and described, exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likeelements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed child bathingactivity center apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed child bathingactivity center apparatus received within a standard bathtub inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the descriptionof several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is presented interms of its preferred embodiments, herein depicted in the accompanyingfigures. The preferred embodiments described herein detail forillustrative purposes are subject to many variations. It is understoodthat various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplatedas circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended tocover the application or implementation without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity,but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The present disclosure comprises a child bathing activity centerapparatus within which a child may be seated during a bathing. Theapparatus includes various entertainment features for engaging a child'sattention during a bathing. For example, one or more toys or activityobjects, such as a spinning toy or squirting toy, may be coupled to aportion of the apparatus accessible to the child. The apparatus furtherincludes various safety features for preventing or at leastsignificantly mitigating the risk of injury to such child during thebathing, such as a non-slip coating or friction element disposed alongthe floor of the apparatus for keeping the child from slipping thereinduring a bathing

The apparatus may be received within a standard bathtub (i.e., afull-sized bathtub for use by adults) that may transfer water into theapparatus when the standard bathtub is at least partially filled withwater. That is, one or more apertures disposed in the walls of theapparatus permit water to pass through the walls of the apparatus andinto the portion thereof within which a child is placed during abathing, which water flows into and out from the apparatus with respectto the standard bathtub. In this way, the apparatus does not need to beseparately filled with water in order to be used. The apertures furtherpreclude the ability of the child being bathed to cause any amount ofwater to be displaced from within the apparatus, which obviatesmid-bathing refilling of the apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in an embodiment, a child bathingactivity center apparatus is shown at 100 as having a basket shape. Thebody of the apparatus is defined by a container 10 having a generallyrectangular or ovular cross-section; however, it will be apparent thatother geometries may be contemplated, provided that the apparatusremains capable of being, received within a standard bathtub. Thecontainer 10 comprises at least one wall 12 that fully surrounds a childplaced within the apparatus, which at least one wall 12 is tall enoughto prevent the child from exiting the apparatus 100 without assistance,and a floor 14 connecting the bottom sides of each at least one wall 12.

The floor 14 of the container 10 has disposed thereon a slip resistantfeature 16 for preventing a child being bathed from slipping whilestanding or moving within the container 10. In an embodiment, the slipresistant feature 16 comprises a textured surface, such as a softgranulation or other tactile pattern. In an alternate embodiment, theslip resistant feature 16 comprises a surface coating, such as asynthetic resin, paint, or residue. In a still alternate embodiment, theslip resistant feature 16 may instead comprise a synthetic mesh mat orother friction element. Preferably, the slip resistant feature 16 willbe integrated within the floor 14 of the container 10 and not requireany action or adjustment on the part of the user. However, the slipresistant feature 16 may instead be placed on top of the floor 14 of thecontainer 10, adjusted as necessary, and replenished or touched-up (e.g.wherein the slip resistant feature 16 is a resin, paint, or residue) asnecessary. In an embodiment, the slip resistant feature 16 will also beresistant to water.

The at least one wall 12 has disposed therein at least one aperture 18for permitting and facilitating the pass through and constant flow ofwater between the container 10 and the standard bathtub 200 within whichthe apparatus 100 is received when such standard bathtub 200 is at leastpartially filled with water. It will be apparent that the at least oneaperture 18 may be of any size and shape, and further that each at leastone aperture 18 may differ in size and shape from one another, so longas water remains capable of flowing freely therethrough at all timesduring a bathing. In an embodiment, only one or two walls of the atleast one 12 may include at least one aperture 18. In a preferredembodiment, each wall of the at least one wall 12 includes at least oneaperture 18. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the at least onewall 12 includes a plurality of apertures 18 rather than a singleaperture 18.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at least one aperture plug 20 may beprovided, which may be received within the at least one aperture 18 ofthe container 10. That is, each aperture 18 may receive an aperture plug20 in order to preclude water from passing through such aperture 18 intoand from the apparatus 100 with respect to the standard bathtub 200 inwhich it is disposed. When each at least one aperture 18 is stopped withan aperture plug 20, water is unable to flow into or out of theapparatus 100 from any direction.

In an embodiment, the top surface of the at least one wall 12 comprisesa padding 22 for further protecting the child from injury caused bycontact with the top of the container 10. The padding 22 may be of anythickness and is preferably disposed about the entirety of the topsurface of the at least one wall 12 (i.e. about the entirety of thecontainer 10). In any event, whether or not the apparatus 100 includespadding 22, at least one activity object 24 is disposed about the topsurface of the at least one wall 12. The at least one activity object 24may be permanently or removably coupled to the at least one wail 12 andis accessible to the child being bathed such that such child mayentertain himself or herself with the activity object 24 during abathing. The at least one activity 24 object is disclosed as at leastone of a squirting toy, a spinning toy, a squeaking toy, a slidable toy,a toy designed to resemble an animal a spring-loaded toy, a rotatingtoy, and a compressible to however, it is contemplated that other typesof toys may be utilized as activity objects 24 in connection with theapparatus 100.

In use, the various entertainment features of the disclosed childbathing activity center apparatus, provided as the at least one activityobject, engage the child being bathed and thus allow the person doingthe bathing to focus on bathing the child, and not spending time andenergy trying to get the child to sit quietly so that he or she can bebathed. The various safety features of the disclosed, child bathingactivity center apparatus, provided individually and jointly as thepadding on the top surface of the at least one wall of the container andthe slip resistant feature of the floor thereof, prevent a child fromany harm caused by slipping on the floor of the container or coming intohard contact with the at least one wall thereof. The at least oneaperture disposed within the at least one wall of the container permitswater to freely pass through into and out from the container such thatthe apparatus need not be separately filled with water for use, and thuscan operate using the water in the standard bathtub within which theapparatus is seated.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child bathing activity center apparatus, theapparatus comprising: a container, said container comprising at leastone wall and a floor, said at least one wall having a first end and asecond end, said second end of said at least one wall terminating atsaid floor, said at least one wall extending along a perimeter of saidfloor, said floor further comprising a slip resistant feature; and atleast one activity object, said at least one activity object coupled tosaid first end of said at least one wall of said container, wherein theapparatus is capable of being received within a standard bathtub, andwherein said at least one wall of said container has at least oneaperture therein, such that when the standard bathtub is at leastpartially filled with water, said at least one aperture permits thewater of the standard bathtub to pass into and out of said container. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one wall of saidcontainer is tall enough to prevent a child being bathed therein fromexiting said container without assistance,
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said at least one activity object comprises at least one of asquirting toy, a spinning toy, a squeaking toy, a slidable toy, a toydesigned to resemble an animal, a spring-loaded toy, a rotating toy, anda compressible toy.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first endof said at least one wall of said container comprises a padding.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said slip resistant feature comprises atleast one of a textured surface, a surface coating, a synthetic meshmat, and a friction element.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidat least one activity object is removably coupled to said first end ofsaid at least one wall of said basket.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said container comprises one of a generally rectangularcross-section and a generally ovular cross-section.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one wall of said container comprises afirst wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises at leastone aperture plug, each aperture plug of said at least one aperture plugcapable of being received within an aperture of said at least oneaperture.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slip resistantfeature of said floor of said container is resistant to water.
 11. Achild bathing activity center apparatus, the apparatus comprising: acontainer, said container comprising at least one wall and a floor, saidat least one wall having a first end and as second end, said first endfurther comprising a padding, said second end of said at least one wallterminating at said floor, said at least one wall extending along aperimeter of said floor, said floor further comprising a slip resistantfeature, said slip resistant feature being resistant to water; and atleast one activity object, said at least one activity object removablycoupled to said first end of said at least one wall of said container,wherein the apparatus is capable of being received within a standardbathtub, and wherein said at least one wall of said container has atleast one aperture therein, such that when the standard bathtub is atleast partially filled with water, said at least one aperture permitsthe water of the standard bathtub to pass into and out of saidcontainer, and wherein said container comprises one of a generallyrectangular cross-section and a generally ovular cross-section.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one wall of said containeris tall enough to prevent a child being bathed therein from exiting saidcontainer without assistance.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid at least one activity object comprises at least one of a squirtingtoy, a spinning toy, a squeaking toy, a slidable toy, a toy designed toresemble an animal, a spring-loaded toy, a rotating toy, and acompressible toy.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said slipresistant feature comprises at least one of a textured surface, asurface coating, a synthetic mesh mat, and a friction element.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one wall of said containercomprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall.16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus further comprisesat least one aperture plug, each aperture plug of said at least oneaperture plug capable of being received within an aperture of said atleast one aperture.